A £140k resilience fund has been created to allow redevelopment works to get underway in Barrhead.

The fund will see improvements made to shop fronts, lighting, businesses and car parking.

Last month, East Renfrewshire Council approved planning application for a proposed Asda superstore in the town centre. As part of the planning process, the Director of Environment negotiated a planning gain of £800k, which will be utilised in support of the resilience fund and other projects.

It is understood the latest £140k fund will be made up of £100k from the overall Asda contribution, along with £40k from the council's General Fund Capital Programme for 2013/14.

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The resilience fund has been introduced to pay for a range of measures to help Barrhead town centre businesses meet the cost of small-scale improvements.

The council will unveil its new shop front grant scheme and town improvements soon.

A sum of £30k has been made available to fund the shop front improvement grant which is for shops within Barrhead's town centre and grants are limited to one per shop with a £3,500 maximum grant and up to a maximum of 50% of the improvement costs.

The grant is available for conversions, improvements and modifications to commercial buildings, including improvements to signage.

In addition to the above, other projects set to benefit from the funding include improvements to car parking, infrastructure, landscaping and public spaces within the town centre.

Convener for Infrastructure and Sustainable Growth Councillor Tony Buchanan said: "Significant progress has already been made with the Barrhead regeneration initiative. This fund will foster confidence within the local business community and help the town centre remain robust during continuing challenging economic times and during a changing shopping environment."

(JP/MH)